From July 1st to August 23rd, a special exhibition, “Kimono: Fashioning identities,” will be held at the Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan (Ueno Park). In this exhibition, about 300 pieces will be displayed, including kimonos worn by prominent historical figures such as Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, and Atsuhime, short-sleeved kimonos directly painted on by Ogata Korin, as well as paintings depicting kimonos that are national treasures and kimonos designed by modern designers. It is an exhibition of an unprecedented scale that provides a comprehensive overview of the Kamakura period to the modern era.
The kimono is one of Japan’s most iconic symbols, its colors and designs exemplifying Japanese cultural sensibilities and aesthetics. Lesser known, however, is that, the kimono originated as an undergarment. The predecessor to today’s kimono is a robe called the kosode (literally, “small sleeve openings”). The kosode first came into its own as an outer robe in medieval Japan during the Muromachi period (1392–1573). It was decorated accordingly with lavish dyed, embroidered, and gold or silver patterns.
This exhibition traces the kimono from its inception some eight hundred years ago to its role today as a symbol of Japanese culture with increasing sway on the contemporary fashion scene. Featuring some of the finest extant textiles, paintings, prints, and other artworks drawn from collections in Japan and around the world, KIMONO: Fashioning Identities promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to consider the past, present, and future of this quintessential Japanese garment.
“ ,” a brand created by X JAPAN‘s leader and a global artist, YOSHIKI, was selected for this special exhibition, “KIMONO,” as creations that represent the modern era. “YOSHIKIMONO,” designed by YOSHIKI, who was born and raised as the eldest son of the owner of a kimono fabrics shop, aims to create kimonos that suit modern women and foreigners as well, and its theme is “the fusion of tradition and innovation.” It inherits the traditional form of Japanese clothing that is the kimono and continues to release collections with modernity while respecting the traditional aesthetic sense.
“YOSHIKIMONO” is extremely worthy of this exhibition’s concept, which is “to exhibit the ‘kimono,’ which has survived for more than 800 years and still appears in new fashions and situations, as a symbol of Japanese culture that is living in the modern era and provide an opportunity to gaze at its past, present, and future,” which led to it being selected for this exhibition.
From February this year, YOSHIKIMONO was also selected to be exhibited at the kimono exhibition of the famous Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the United Kingdom, and is on display alongside works by famous designers such as Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent.
YOSHIKI commented, “More than 10 years have passed since I established this brand as a designer. Currently, I have come to receive many offers from overseas, but I am truly honored to have my creations exhibited in Japan, the origin of kimono culture, at the prestigious Tokyo National Museum. I feel gratitude to all of my fans who are constantly supporting me. It would make me happy if you could see the exhibition.”
